RH Jones: STRS OHIO HC vs. OPERS

From RH Jones, February 25, 2009

Subject: STRS OHIO HC vs OPERS

To all:

Since HB 315, the employer/employee increased contribution for retired educator health care (HC)), is not moving well in the Ohio legislature, may

I ask every STRS retired educator whose spouse is a retired person receiving OPERS HC, if you are currently on STRS HC, to change from our STRS HC to OPERS HC? If you qualify, the reason that I ask you to change is that, contrary to some misinformation, OPERS HC is better than what the STRS offers. Here is my reasoning:

1. Ohio’s Politicians pay into it. Therefore, they will find a way to keep their HC financed.
2. Ohio STRS employees pay into OPERS. Their loyalty concerning HC could be considered to be with OPERS HC, not with our STRS.
3. I know of 2-educator couples whose spouses have OPERS. The educators do not use STRS. Both couples are highly intelligent, researched the 2-plans, and came to the conclusion that OPERS HC is the better. *
4. If your spouse qualifies, for the sake of the health of STRS HC for your fellow educator, who with a spouse has to depend on it, please be advised to go with OPERS HC. It is the right thing to do. Be your brother’s keeper.
5. Historically, OPERS HC has always paid well.

In conclusion: all those who qualify for OPERS use OPERS HC, not STRS.

RHJones, retired educator

*See John Curry’s 02/23/2009, 9:18 AM e-mail response to the STRS employee, Sandy Knosel, entitled “Taken right off the STRS website…’ a common misperception”